I am very upset. In October I brought my 2000 V70 with 83K to a mechanic far away, who is supposed to be well experienced with Volvos. I spent about $1600 getting the timing belt, tensioner, serpentine belt, water pump, brakes and a few little things done.

Now at 87K, I start having power steering noise and stiffness and the engine compartment around the power steering reservoir is soaked with fluid. I purchased green fluid from a dealer, but it was fruitless.

I drove back to this mechanic today with my friend following me. Along the way my CEL goes on... I am cursing by now. When I get there, we open the hood and that's when I realize the fluid is SPRAYING out of the hose. A BIG pool under the car. I look closer and see that the hose is being chafed by the serpentine belt pulley, cutting it right open.

I said to the mechanic, why would Volvo design a hose so close to the pulley and he said that whoever put it on, put it on the wrong way. I said "I had it done here" and he tells me that my new belt will need to be changed because the fluid will "melt" it. I said "I just had it changed there end of October". He said he would clean it. And what about the CEL.... did the fluid ruin a sensor?

Now what do I do? What is this mechanic obligated to do for me? I don't have a job... I was not expecting my car to be messed up because of carelessness.